CHARLESTON, S.C. – Gardner-Webb bounced back in resounding fashion Saturday afternoon at Charleston Southern, racing to a 16-6 win over the Buccaneers to even the series.
Gardner-Webb scored two runs in the third to take the lead for good, added one run in the fourth inning and put up six runs in the fifth to pull away. Charleston Southern rallied for a pair in the bottom of the fifth, but a seven-run barrage in the seventh inning for Gardner-Webb put the game on ice.
Alex Ray came up with the initial big hit for the 'Dogs, belting a one-out double to left center in the top of the second.
Jacob Marcos followed with a single to drive home Ray – and scampered all the way around to score himself on an error by the Bucs' catcher.
Curtis Robison led off with a single in the fourth inning and moved all the way to third one batter later after an error and a long fly ball.
Daegan Brady drove him home with a sacrifice fly to left and Gardner-Webb led 3-1.
The 'Dogs extended the lead to 9-1 with their burst in the fifth. Marcos walked with one out and
AJ Jones drew a walk himself to put two on. After Marcos swiped third,
Alec Burns walked to load the sacks. Robison was plunked in the next at bat, plating Marcos and
Peter Capobianco came through with a two-run single to extend the lead.
Brady stepped into a pitch for an RBI double to bring Robison home and
Bo Rusher III roped a two-run single to give Gardner-Webb a 9-1 lead.
Gardner-Webb put the game out of reach in the seventh.
Burns and Robison led off with singles and Robison stole second to put two men in scoring position. Capobianco walked to load the bases and Burns came home on a wild pitch for a 10-3 lead. Robison scored soon after on another wild pitch and – after a walk to Brady – Rusher came through with another run-scoring single for a 12-3 edge. Ray followed with an RBI knock himself to drive in Brady for a double figures lead.
Burns came back around after leading off the inning, this time belting a three-run double that put the 'Dogs up 16-3.
Charleston Southern scored three more runs late, but the outcome was never in doubt Saturday.
Tyler Switalski picked up the win, hurling 5.2 innings and allowing just three runs on four hits.
Connor Maggi pitched the final 3.1 innings in relief.
Rusher went 3-for-4 with three RBI to pace Gardner-Webb's offense, which produced 13 hits and was efficient – leaving only three runners on base. Burns (2-for-4, 3 RBI), Robison (2-for-4), Capobianco (2-for-4) and Ray (2-for-4) also had big days at the plate.
The two teams will play the series rubber match on Sunday afternoon.
